Live with Nature: Experience the Wisdom of the Karen Tribe
チェンマイ坂田
Step into a mountain village and discover a way of life rooted in nature. Cook, craft, and connect with the local Karen community — a day you'll never forget.
目次
Highlights
Refresh in a Village Surrounded by Nature
Just a 1.5-hour drive from Chiang Mai city takes you to a peaceful Karen village nestled in the mountains.
Here, you can breathe fresh air and let your heart unwind in the lush surroundings of forests and rice fields. It's a special escape from the stress of everyday life.
You can enjoy a traditional herbal sauna or a warm footbath using local herbs gathered in the village.
These are natural Karen healing methods that gently refresh both body and mind.
Learn the Wisdom of Living with Nature
The Karen people have always lived in harmony with nature.
On this tour, you'll experience their way of life — using wild plants and turmeric to make natural dyes for clothes and food,
and banana leaves for cooking, wrapping, and even as plates.
You’ll use your own hands to try these simple but profound techniques. Through this, you’ll learn practical, natural skills that are hard to find in modern life — the wisdom of living.
Taste the Heart of the Village
Host Yatee’s homemade dishes are a highlight of the tour. Enjoy authentic Karen cuisine, made with fresh ingredients from the village.
Grow, harvest, cook, and eat together around the same table — it may sound simple, but it’s a powerful way to rediscover the joy of sharing and the happiness found in everyday life.
About the Village
Location
The village is located about 1.5 hours by car from Chiang Mai, on the way to Doi Inthanon — Thailand’s highest mountain.
It's a Karen hill tribe village surrounded by mountains and nature.
Your Host: Yatee
Your main host for this experience is Yatee, a Karen woman living in the village with her two kids.
Yatee studied in Chiang Mai city during university and has since returned to live in the village where she was born and raised.
She welcomes guests with kindness and a calm, natural presence reflecting village life's gentle pace.
She’s not here to offer a tourist show — instead, she shares her real, everyday life with you.
Sample Itinerary
7:30 AM – Depart from Chiang Mai
We’ll pick you up from your accommodation or a designated meeting point in the city by van.
Stroll through a local market to see fresh ingredients, snacks, and daily life. It’s a great start to your cross-cultural experience.
(*We can also go straight to the village without stopping at the market.)
10:00 AM – Arrive at the Village / Welcome Drink
Enjoy coffee or tea grown in the village.
Even if visiting a “tribal village” sounds unfamiliar, the warm welcome here will ease your heart.
10:30 AM – Village Walk
Take a walk through the village to feel the everyday life of the Karen people.
Some houses are new, while others are still built in the traditional bamboo style.
Along the way, we’ll also collect herbs for lunch or a herbal foot bath.
We will also explore the rice paddies. Because pesticides are not used in the rice paddies, fish, crabs, and other animals inhabit them.
You can also see the flowers that are produced in the village and sold in and around Chiang Mai, depending on the day.
1:00 PM – Lunch
Enjoy a delicious home-cooked Karen meal prepared by your host, Yatee.
Fresh, local, and full of love.
2:00 PM – Cultural Activities
Depending on the season and the wishes of the participants, we prepare programs to experience the wisdom and skills of the Karen people to live in harmony with nature.
🌿 Natural Dye Workshop
We’ll gather leaves and seeds around the village, squeeze and grind them to extract dye.
then hand-dye handkerchiefs or cloths with your design.
🌱 Herbal Foot Bath / Sauna
Using freshly gathered herbs, we’ll boil water for a relaxing foot soak.
You can also experience a traditional herbal steam sauna, handmade by the villagers themselves.
🍭 Karen Sweets Workshop
Learn to make village-style sweets using local ingredients, like colorful donuts made from sticky rice flour.
These doughnuts are made from sticky rice flour. natural ingredients are used to add color.
※ Please note that activities in the village may vary from time to time.
16:00 PM - Leaving the village
18:00 PM - Arriving at Chiangmai City
This tour can be arranged as a day tour OR an overnight tour according to the wishes of the participants.
Schedule image for the second day
7:00 Wake up
8:00 Breakfast
9:30 Departure from the village
After 11:00 Arrive in Chiang Mai city
Elephant Camp or Hiking to Doi Inthanon Mountain is available upon request.
Guest Reviews
"A window into real Thai life"
K family
"A meaningful cultural day"
M.Y.
Watch Past Tour Videos
Check out highlights created by past guests:
Moeko (Digital nomad in Chiang Mai)
Also view tour highlights on the Instagram of our tour director, Naoto
Other Information
Here’s a recommended packing list. Feel free to bring anything else you may need.
What to Bring
| Importance | Item | Notes |
| Must-have | Comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting dirty | You might get muddy or stained with dyes |
| ↑ | Long-sleeved shirt and long pants | It can be chilly in the morning and evening; also protects against insects |
| ↑ | Sneakers | Recommended for village walks |
| ↑ | Light clothes for herbal sauna | Thin T-shirt and pants if you plan to use the sauna |
| ↑ | Personal medicine | |
| ↑ | Sandals | |
| ↑ | Toothbrush | |
| Useful | Sunscreen | |
| ↑ | Hat | |
| ↑ | Small towel for wiping sweat | |
| ↑ | Small bag | To carry drinks, towel, valuables |
| ↑ | Sunglasses | |
| ↑ | Shampoo | Bring your own if you have preferences |
| ↑ | Conditioner | Same as above |
Toilets and Showers
There are toilet and shower facilities available. They are clean but not as modern as those in shopping malls.
Please note:
- Hot water for showers may not always be available. If needed, we can provide heated water manually.
- During the dry (cold) season, it’s fine to skip showers if you prefer. We recommend bringing body wipes.
Important Notes
- 🚐 Transportation
→ The village is 1.5 hours from Chiang Mai, including winding mountain roads. Motion sickness medicine is recommended. - 🧥 Weather & Temperature
→ Mornings and evenings can be chilly, especially from Nov–Feb. Please bring warm clothes. - 🛏 Room Sharing
→ You may share a room with other guests. If you'd prefer a private room, let us know in advance. - 🧳 Valuables
→ Please keep your passport, money, and phone safely with you. - 🛖 Simple Lifestyle
→ This is a real village experience — not a tourist attraction. Come with an open mind and heart 💚
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 🛁 Are there showers and toilets?
→ Yes. Basic but clean village facilities are available. Hot water may be limited. - ☔ What happens if it rains?
→ Light rain: the program continues. Heavy rain: we switch to indoor activities safely. - 🧼 Is it okay to skip a shower?
→ Yes! During the cold season, many guests use wet wipes instead. - 📱 Is there internet or phone signal?
→ Mobile signal is weak in the village. Enjoy a peaceful digital detox! - 🐛 Are there insects or animals?
→ Yes. You may see chickens, pigs, and insects — but they’re friendly and harmless.
🧳 What should I pack?
→ See our packing list below for all essentials and helpful items!
If you are interested in attending, please contact us through the inquiry form below or through my Instagram.
Please feel free to contact us if you would like to join us.
Please contact us for other minority tours in Mani-Tabi👇
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